Treating unexplained infertility: Answers still needed

In this study, a national network of investigators looked at how the drug letrozole compared with two standard drugs to stimulate ovulation. Letrozole works to stimulate ovulation through a different path than traditional fertility medications. Investigators assigned cver a thousand couples with unexplained infertility to as many as four rounds of treatment with either letrozole or one of two “standard treatments”: gonadotropin (Menopur is one brand name) or clomiphene (Clomid is a common brand name). The results: live birth rates were lower in the women who took letrozole (19%) as compared with gonadotropin (32%), but were statistically similar to clomiphene (23%). On the other hand, rates of multiple pregnancies (all twins and triplets in this study) were higher in the gonadotropin group (all the triplets in were in this treatment group) than in the letrozole and clomiphene groups (which had about the same rate). Hardly a home run for those who were hoping letrozole would be the answer. Over all, the numbers indicate that for couples with unexplained infertility, these alternatives to IVF may help them achieve a pregnancy — but success is hardly a sure thing. The drugs that bring a higher chance of pregnancy, also bring a greater chance that pregnancy will be a high-risk one. While disappointing, the results argue for more work to optimize fertility therapies. A very important part of this work — whether we’re talking about ovulation induction or IVF — are c...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Family Planning and Pregnancy fertility treatments infertility ovulation induction Source Type: news